An Isle of Man businessman has admitted defeat in his bid to field candidates for his Isle of Man First party at next month’s election.

But Mitch Sorbie, who owns Just Pizza and Pasta in Douglas, says the party is not dead and he hopes to field at least 13 candidates at the next election in five years’ time.

He announced he was setting up the Isle of Man First party in the autumn of 2025 and published an 11-point manifesto addressing issues including health, education, tax reform, technology and housing.

Mr Sorbie aimed to get 13 Isle of Man First candidates into the House of Keys, which would represent a majority and introduce meaningful party politics for the first time.

While there are already parties including Liberal Vannin and the Manx Labour Party, Tynwald has never operated under a system of party politics.

Mr Sorbie felt compelled to act because he believed Tynwald was a rudderless ship which left the civil service with too much power.

However, with the election just around the corner, Mr Sorbie has conceded defeat this time around.

‘I was met with the response that it is not the way we do things on the island and that it is not going to work,’ he said.

‘A number of people I spoke to have since announced they are standing as independent candidates.

‘But I believe they will find it frustrating as one of 24 individuals who cannot get anything done.

‘We need inward investment on the island and we can only achieve that with stability over the next five years.

‘But that won’t happen if they all just squabble among themselves.’

Mr Sorbie believes the situation is the same at ministerial level.

‘Even within CoMin (Council of Ministers) there is horse trading,’ he said. ‘If you asked the last Chief Minister whether he would have liked to have been the leader of a controlling party, I’m sure he’d say he would have loved to.’

Mr Sorbie insists the current political system simply isn’t working.

‘There are 24 people in the House of Keys, all with a different agenda, which means little is achieved,’ he said. ‘There will be a number of new faces but these MHKs will quickly realise they cannot make the changes they want.

‘I have said before that the island will be in deep trouble in two elections’ time as they need to fill the 16% gap in GDP left by online gaming.’

Despite the setback this time around, Mr Sorbie aims to try again at the next election.

‘Maybe people weren’t ready this time,’ Mr Sorbie said, ‘but perhaps they will listen next time.

‘The party is not dead and the manifesto will remain online.

‘But I will still be aiming for at least 13 candidates at the next election so it gives us a chance of a controlling majority.’

While Isle of Man First has no candidates, there is one new party, or movement, called Change, which aims to abolish CoMin, replace MLCs with a ‘People’s House’ and ‘end mass migration’.

The movement has fielded two candidates, with Andrew Foster standing in Douglas East and Mark Cleator in Glenfaba and Peel.